Indian T20 League 2021: Franchises Squad News
With less than a month to go for Phase 2 of the Indian T20 League 2021, starting on 19th September in the UAE, 5 franchises have finalized their squads, while the rest 3 are still searching for replacements.
Phase 2: Franchises Who Do Not Have A Complete Squad
- Punjab have to replace two unavailable players, the newly bought pair of Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith. While they have brought in Nathan Ellis as one replacement, the team is yet to decide on the other one. Ellis took a hat-trick on his international debut against Bangladesh and gained selection as one of Australia’s three reserve players for the T20 World Cup. He is set to provide the team cover in the fast-bowling department.
- For Kolkata, the big absentee is Pat Cummins. He has already announced that he will not be returning for the UAE leg of the tournament. The team will need a good fast bowler who can deliver with the ball consistently during the matches.
- For Rajasthan, Jos Buttler, all-rounder Ben Stokes (who has taken an indefinite break from cricket) and Andrew Tye will not return for the second leg of the tournament. The franchise has already named New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips as one replacement. The one player yet to confirm his return is Liam Livingstone, but he is expected to return. The team have signed South African legspinner and World No.1 T20I bowler Tabraiz Shamsi for the remainder of the season as replacement for Andrew Tye.
Phase 2: Franchises Who Have A Complete Squad
- Chennai was the first team to announce that they have all players available. Josh Hazl.ewood, pulled out of the first half of the season but is expected to return for the second leg. He is keen to use the tournament as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup at the same venue.
- Mumbai and Delhi too have finalized their squads with no replacements or injuries. Hyderabad, who are currently last in the points table, has received a major boost as Jonny Bairstow, David Warner, and Kane Williamson are all confirmed to return for the UAE leg.
- Bangalore had 5 players unavailable. Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams, Finn Allen and Scott Kuggeleijn have all pulled out of the second leg. The team has brought in the Sri Lankan pair of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmatha Chameera and Singapore’s Tim David. The team has also signed George Garton of England for this season. He played 9 matches in The Hundred, picking up 10 wickets at an average of 23 and has 9 wickets from 6 games in the T20 Blast this year at an average of 16.66 and an economy of 7.50.
BCCI extended the initial deadline of 20th August to finalize the squads as some franchises requested it due to the pandemic and the uncertainty over players’ return.
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